[i] “Alright er... Marianne... D'ya know where we are? 'Cause we woke up here and... Well, we don't have any idea what happened..."[/i]

The black-dressed girl sighed, shaking her head in slight apology. Her gesture was that of a kindly mother lightly scolding a child. She didn’t want to, but she had to inform them that, unfortunately, her services would not to be free or even required.

“I’m afraid there’s not much to say Doctor Sharpp,” she said calmly.

Something was off. She had correctly guessed the man’s name. Either that or she somehow knew from prior meeting. Did that mean that she knew everyone’s names? That she knew everyone’s background too? But wait, that didn’t make any sense. No one was powerful or even talented enough to be omniscient. Just who was this girl?

No. It had to be a luck guess.

“Ah, but I can at least shed some light on this place. It’s the best I can do for you now I’m afraid. This manor is constantly changing its interior space; as such, you will all have to move quickly and consistently if you want to get out alive. Right now, you’re all up for the Collector’s amusement and research. Something about finding extraordinary beings. That’s all I have to say on the matter now.”

Marianne’s smile softened as she glanced at Lucinda’s wary expression towards her.

“Do not be so concerned Lucinda Grey. I don’t think you have anything to worry about yet…oh you’re a shape shifter, aren’t you? How interesting…I would recommend you not leading this group the group too far into danger now.”

The girl’s single red eye flickered once.

“I am neither an enemy or an ally but…well, I can at least warn you about the Fauns. They get so rowdy at this time of day.”

Fauns? What Fauns?

As if summoned by her mere words, several conglomerations began to emerge from the very walls. Dark arms lashed out to towards Lucinda first to hold her in place as still more shadows leaked out onto the ballroom floor. 

Each patch of gray matter soon formed into a tall Faun, their goat-like legs being a creepy contrast to their distinctively human torsos. Shackles seemed to be locked around their ankles and wrists, and a large collar lay dormant around each of their necks. The creatures soon held out large crossbows, loading sharp arrows with a wet, green tipping to them.

But what was perhaps most haunting were their faces. Featureless gray masks that complimented their equally monochromic bodies stared back at the group, lying still just below their goat horns. Moving in packs, the mass of Fauns surrounded the group rather quickly, each taking aim and beginning to fire off their volley of arrows.

However, each and every one of them seemed to be ignoring Marianne. Could they not see her? No…by the way their body movements registered and tensed up, it almost seemed like…they dared not approach her at all.

Marianne did a graceful twirl as the sounds of conflict soon rang in her ears, giggling sweetly.

“Oh my! How interesting…those arrows do look pretty nasty. Why don’t you show us all the power of your potential Mr. Anari? I’m sure you want to kill something soon, right?”